Outer Temple
Encyclopedia
The Outer Temple is thought to have been one of the ten Inns of Chancery
. Previously unknown, its existence was first posited by A. W. B. Simpson
and confirmed by John Baker
in 2008. Little is known of it, other than that it lacked a hall; Baker suggests that this is the reason that it did not survive long enough to appear in many records.
. During the 12th and 13th century the law was taught in the City of London
, primarily by the clergy. During the 13th century two events happened which destroyed this form of legal education - firstly a decree by Henry III of England
that no institutes of legal education could exist in the City of London, and second a papal bull
that prohibited the clergy from teaching the law. As a result the system of legal education fell apart, and the lawyers instead settled immediately outside the City of London as close as possible to Westminster Hall, where the Magna Carta
provided for a permanent court. This was the small village of Holborn
, where they inhabited "hostels" or "inns", which later took their name from the landlord of the Inn in question. Although the Outer Temple was an Inn of Chancery in the time of John Fortescue (died c.1480), little is known of it; it certainly lacked a hall, which Baker suggests is the reason that it did not survive past the 16th century.
"like Maids of Honour to a Princess", only nine were previously known. The existence of the tenth, Outer Temple, was first suggested by A. W. B. Simpson
, who discovered a reference to a barrister
named William Halle in the year books of the Serjeants-at-Law
who was said to have come from the Outer Temple. At the time, Simpson debated whether it was a reference to a historical institution or simply a geographical address. In 2008 John Baker
confirmed that it was most likely an institution with a discovery in the plea rolls
of the Court of King's Bench
of a barrister who claimed to be a "fellow of the [Outer] Temple".
and Essex Court/Brick Court (of the Middle Temple
), just outside the Middle Temple boundary in the City of Westminster
, and directly opposite the Royal Courts of Justice
. It is occupied by barrister
s (as well as a branch of a retail bank) but is not directly related to the historic Outer Temple.
, QC
, claims to have eaten his dinners
at the Outer Temple; Mortimer trained at the Inner Temple
.
Inns of Chancery
The Inns of Chancery or Hospida Cancellarie were a group of buildings and legal institutions in London initially attached to the Inns of Court and used as offices for the clerks of chancery, from which they drew their name...
. Previously unknown, its existence was first posited by A. W. B. Simpson
A. W. B. Simpson
Alfred William Brian Simpson QC , FBA usually referred to as A. W. B. Simpson, was a British legal historian and the emeritus Charles F. and Edith J. Clyne Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School.- References :...
and confirmed by John Baker
John Baker (legal historian)
Sir John Hamilton Baker, QC, FBA, FRHistS, FBS is an English legal historian. He has been the Downing Professor of the Laws of England at the University of Cambridge since 1988.-Biography:...
in 2008. Little is known of it, other than that it lacked a hall; Baker suggests that this is the reason that it did not survive long enough to appear in many records.
History
It is believed that the Inns of Chancery evolved in tandem with the Inns of CourtInns of Court
The Inns of Court in London are the professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. All such barristers must belong to one such association. They have supervisory and disciplinary functions over their members. The Inns also provide libraries, dining facilities and professional...
. During the 12th and 13th century the law was taught in the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
, primarily by the clergy. During the 13th century two events happened which destroyed this form of legal education - firstly a decree by Henry III of England
Henry III of England
Henry III was the son and successor of John as King of England, reigning for 56 years from 1216 until his death. His contemporaries knew him as Henry of Winchester. He was the first child king in England since the reign of Æthelred the Unready...
that no institutes of legal education could exist in the City of London, and second a papal bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
that prohibited the clergy from teaching the law. As a result the system of legal education fell apart, and the lawyers instead settled immediately outside the City of London as close as possible to Westminster Hall, where the Magna Carta
Magna Carta
Magna Carta is an English charter, originally issued in the year 1215 and reissued later in the 13th century in modified versions, which included the most direct challenges to the monarch's authority to date. The charter first passed into law in 1225...
provided for a permanent court. This was the small village of Holborn
Holborn
Holborn is an area of Central London. Holborn is also the name of the area's principal east-west street, running as High Holborn from St Giles's High Street to Gray's Inn Road and then on to Holborn Viaduct...
, where they inhabited "hostels" or "inns", which later took their name from the landlord of the Inn in question. Although the Outer Temple was an Inn of Chancery in the time of John Fortescue (died c.1480), little is known of it; it certainly lacked a hall, which Baker suggests is the reason that it did not survive past the 16th century.
Discovery
While John Fortescue wrote of ten Inns of Chancery, each one attached to an Inn of CourtInns of Court
The Inns of Court in London are the professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. All such barristers must belong to one such association. They have supervisory and disciplinary functions over their members. The Inns also provide libraries, dining facilities and professional...
"like Maids of Honour to a Princess", only nine were previously known. The existence of the tenth, Outer Temple, was first suggested by A. W. B. Simpson
A. W. B. Simpson
Alfred William Brian Simpson QC , FBA usually referred to as A. W. B. Simpson, was a British legal historian and the emeritus Charles F. and Edith J. Clyne Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School.- References :...
, who discovered a reference to a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
named William Halle in the year books of the Serjeants-at-Law
Serjeant-at-law
The Serjeants-at-Law was an order of barristers at the English bar. The position of Serjeant-at-Law , or Sergeant-Counter, was centuries old; there are writs dating to 1300 which identify them as descended from figures in France prior to the Norman Conquest...
who was said to have come from the Outer Temple. At the time, Simpson debated whether it was a reference to a historical institution or simply a geographical address. In 2008 John Baker
John Baker (legal historian)
Sir John Hamilton Baker, QC, FBA, FRHistS, FBS is an English legal historian. He has been the Downing Professor of the Laws of England at the University of Cambridge since 1988.-Biography:...
confirmed that it was most likely an institution with a discovery in the plea rolls
Plea rolls
Plea rolls are parchment rolls recording details of legal suits or actions in a court of law in England.Courts began recording its proceedings in plea rolls and filing its writs from its foundation at the end of the 12th century....
of the Court of King's Bench
Court of King's Bench (England)
The Court of King's Bench , formally known as The Court of the King Before the King Himself, was an English court of common law in the English legal system...
of a barrister who claimed to be a "fellow of the [Outer] Temple".
Present day chambers
There is a 19th century building called "The Outer Temple", situated between StrandStrand, London
Strand is a street in the City of Westminster, London, England. The street is just over three-quarters of a mile long. It currently starts at Trafalgar Square and runs east to join Fleet Street at Temple Bar, which marks the boundary of the City of London at this point, though its historical length...
and Essex Court/Brick Court (of the Middle Temple
Middle Temple
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, commonly known as Middle Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers; the others being the Inner Temple, Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn...
), just outside the Middle Temple boundary in the City of Westminster
City of Westminster
The City of Westminster is a London borough occupying much of the central area of London, England, including most of the West End. It is located to the west of and adjoining the ancient City of London, directly to the east of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and its southern boundary...
, and directly opposite the Royal Courts of Justice
Royal Courts of Justice
The Royal Courts of Justice, commonly called the Law Courts, is the building in London which houses the Court of Appeal of England and Wales and the High Court of Justice of England and Wales...
. It is occupied by barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
s (as well as a branch of a retail bank) but is not directly related to the historic Outer Temple.
In fiction
Horace Rumpole, the fictional barrister creation of John MortimerJohn Mortimer
Sir John Clifford Mortimer, CBE, QC was a British barrister, dramatist, screenwriter and author.-Early life:...
, QC
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
, claims to have eaten his dinners
Call to the bar
The Call to the Bar is a legal term of art in most common law jurisdictions where persons must be qualified to be allowed to argue in court on behalf of another party, and are then said to have been "called to the bar" or to have received a "call to the bar"...
at the Outer Temple; Mortimer trained at the Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
.